"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."—Mark Twain

Since we're in this aging thing together, we've taken some of the guess work out of things like: preparing for medical appointments, questions to ask once there, and determining if you need the emergency room or an urgent care clinic. Read on, friend.

Taking Control of Your Healthcare

Taking control of your healthcare is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Your efforts now may save your life down the road:

It is extremely important to find and start going to a primary care physician while you are still healthy.

Choose a primary care physician who you like and whose office staff is responsive and helpful.

If you don’t already have a primary care physician, click on Find Your Doctor and follow the instructions to find one that is accepting new patients.

You can also call the MARC, the University of Texas Medical School Medical Arts and Research Center, to find a primary care physician who will accept you as a patient there. You will need health insurance or Medicare to be seen there.

If you are a Bexar County resident, you can also go to University Health System’s clinics. You can go to these whether you have health insurance or not.

Preparing for Your Appointment

The following link will bring you to a form that you can print and fill-out in preparation for your medical appointment(s). Preparing for your appointment allows you to prepare the answers that you will inevitably be asked to provide on forms when you arrive at your doctor’s office. How many times have you been at the doctor’s office filling out a form and not been able to remember how many milligrams of that medicine you take or when you had that surgery? This form will allow you to put the information together at home, where you have the information!

The form also has space to write down the questions that you would like to ask at the appointment. Not only that, but it has space to write down the answers as you get them! Did you know that 80% of patients forget what their doctor tell them by the time they leave their offices?

Please explore and use the form, as it has many features that will empower you to become a partner in your own care.

How to Talk to Your Doctor

The Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Insurance Exchanges offer a choice of health plans at www.healthcare.gov. Beware that the lower the cost of the plan, the higher the deductible (the amount you have to pay for medical care before the insurance starts to pay for it).

Navigating Healthcare of Seniors

One of the biggest healthcare challenges we face is navigating healthcare of seniors. Refer to these important tips for what you and your loved ones can do to maximize healthcare resources. Tips include: determining your long-term care plan, options to living independently, and end of life issues. Click here for the tip sheet.

Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care

Get answers about when you should go to the emergency room or when an urgent care center can cover your needs. Also included is a FAQ section in regards to both kinds of facilities. Click here for the tip sheet.